Howard Krein MD, PhD, FACS
Double Board Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Co-Director of the Herbert Kean Center for Facial Aesthetics
Associate Professor Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Senior Director of Innovation and Health Policy, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center
A native of New Jersey, Howard Krein, MD, PhD is a Facial Plastics and Reconstructive surgeon with over 19 years of experience helping his patients reach their cosmetic or reconstructive goals. As a surgeon, he is committed to making subtle changes that allow you to be the best version of yourself. He understands the physician-patient relationship is a partnership built on trust and he strives to make his patients feel comfortable.
Board-certified in Otolaryngology, as well as facial plastics and reconstructive surgery, Dr. Krein is a highly trained surgeon whose practice encompasses the entire spectrum of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facial rejuvenation surgery, fat transfers, facial augmentation, wrinkle treatment, corrective surgery for facial defects, ear reshaping, microtia repair, microsurgery and reconstruction for cancer patients and extensive post-traumatic deformities. He is also considered to be an expert in fat transfers, hair transplantation, Botox and injectable fillers such as Restylane, Juvaderm, Radiesse, and Sculptra.
He is part of an exclusive group of physicians with two doctoral degrees. He received a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from UMDNJ/Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and his MD from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He has completed internships in both Emergency Medicine and General Surgery as well as a residency in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Dr. Krein was chosen for a highly competitive Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, at the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. His fellowship was focused on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head and neck, honing his skills in the latest techniques in rhinoplasty, aging face, cosmetic surgery, and facial reconstruction. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
As an associate professor in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Philadelphia’s prestigious Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Krein is considered to be an outstanding teacher and lecturer. He routinely lectures and teaches on the many intricacies of facial plastic surgery to medical students, residents and other physicians. He has been a keynote speaker at many conferences, and has used these experiences to develop the ability to connect with any audience. He uses these skills to help his patient’s fully understand each procedure, which he feels is essential to create a bond of trust.
Dr. Krein has also been actively involved in humanitarian missions for over 12 years. His passion lies in helping people with facial defects both domestically and abroad. He donates his time and surgical skills to treating the needy who might otherwise not receive treatment. Twice a year, Dr. Krein travels to Central America to perform reconstructive surgery on children with congenital and acquired facial deformities. He has found that these trips are some of the most rewarding experiences of his career. These trips are organized by World Pediatric Project.
Dedicated to improving the well being of all people, Dr. Krein is the Chief Medical Officer of StartUp Health, which is on a 25-year mission to collaborate with entrepreneurs to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the world. Since 2011, StartUp Health has been investing in a global army of entrepreneurs, called Health Transformers, to achieve health moonshots. Additionally, Dr. Krein is the Senior Director of Health Policy & Innovation at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center. In 2017, Dr. Krein was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Biden Cancer Initiative.
He has been awarded numerous distinctions and has been listed on top lists such as Castle Conolly and Philadelphia Magazine's Top Docs.
Ryan N. Heffelfinger MD, FACS
Double Board Certified Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Director, Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Co-Director of the Herbert Kean Center for Facial Aesthetics
Associate Professor Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Ryan N. Heffelfinger, MD, FACS is a Double Board Certified, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
As an Associate Professor in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Philadelphia’s prestigious Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Heffelfinger is considered to be an outstanding teacher and lecturer. His practice encompasses the entire spectrum of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, including rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), facial rejuvenation surgery (facelift), fat transfers, Botox and fillers, facial nerve paralysis treatment, corrective surgery for facial defects, ear reshaping, microsurgery, reconstruction of cancer patients and extensive post-traumatic deformities. Facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Heffelfinger, specializes solely in plastic surgery of the face, head and neck and treats both children and adults with is focused expertise.
Ryan N. Heffelfinger, M.D. received his undergraduate degree from Yale University, where he played varsity soccer. He began his medical education at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received his MD degree and graduated at the top of his class. He was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and was awarded the S. MacCuen Smith Memorial Prize in Otology.
Dr. Heffelfinger completed his internship in general surgery followed by a surgical residency and specialization in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He was then chosen for a highly-specialized Fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), at the University of California, Los Angeles. During his fellowship at UCLA, his entire experience focused on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head and neck. Here he honed his skills in the latest techniques in rhinoplasty, cosmetic surgery, and facial reconstruction including microvascular reconstruction of complex facial deformities.
He returned to Jefferson in 2006 as the Director of Head and Neck Microvascular Surgery, and was soon named the Director of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He was the first AAFPRS fellowship director in Philadelphia, and is very active in teaching the latest advancements and techniques in plastic surgery to residents and fellows. Dr. Heffelfinger has been named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor and a Philly Top Doc yearly since 2017.
Dr. Heffelfinger is Board-Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is one of a small group of surgeons that has achieved Dual Board-Certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery. He is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Surgeons.
In addition to his busy surgical practice, Dr. Heffelfinger has also been actively involved in several humanitarian organizations. He is one of five surgeons regularly serving the Children’s Rehabilitation Institute and Surgery Program (C.R.I.S.P.). and also travels routinely to Nicaragua and Guatemala to treat children with facial deformities.
Patients refer to him as “Dr. Heff”, which reflects his personal approach to being a surgeon. He spends extra time making sure his patients fully understand each procedure he recommends. Away from work, Dr. Heff enjoys attending Eagles and Sixers games. However, the Sixers are his second favorite basketball team; he proudly reports coaching his middle daughter’s hoops squad to an undefeated season this year. He still tries to dominate on the soccer turf, but is more effective at cheering for his children’s soccer teams every weekend. Whether it’s learning to surf in Costa Rica or barbecuing in the backyard, his favorite times are those spent with his wife Michele of 15 years and his 3 beautiful children.